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The leaf latex of Aloe pulcherrima has been used as remedy for diabetes mellitus. This was carried out to determine in vitro and in vivo antidiabetic activities of the leaf latex of Aloe pulcherrima. Methods. Sucrase and maltase inhibitory activity of the leaf latex of A. pulcherrima was determined in glucose oxidase assay, and α-amylase inhibitory activity was determined in dinitrosalicylic acid assay. Normoglycemic, glucose-loaded, and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice were treated orally to determine blood glucose lowering activity of the latex. Effect of the latex on serum lipid level and body weight was measured in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Additionally, DPPH assay was used to determine free radical scavenging capacity of the latex. Results. Antioxidant activity of the latex was concentration dependent; the strongest inhibition was measured at 800 μg/ml (80.57%). The leaf latex of A. pulcherrima inhibited sucrase (IC50 = 2.92 μg/ml), maltase (IC50 = 11.81 μg/ml) and α-amylase (IC50 = 14.92 μg/ml) enzymes. All doses of the leaf latex induced hypoglycemic effect after 4 h in normal mice, and low dose of the latex did not show significant effect after 6 h. Glucose reduction of the leaf latex of A. pulcherrima was significant (p < 0.05) in oral glucose-loaded mice compared to the vehicle control. Blood glucose level of diabetic mice was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced on week one and weak two in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic mouse model. Glucose reduction increased with increasing the doses of the leaf latex of A. pulcherrima on week one (p < 0.05 (200 mg/kg), p < 0.01 (400 mg/kg), and p < 0.001 (600 mg/kg)). Administration of the leaf latex of A. pulcherrima for two weeks significantly (p < 0.05) improved diabetic dyslipidemia and body weight of diabetic mice. Conclusion. The study confirmed that the leaf latex of the plant showed a significant antidiabetic activity justifying the traditional uses of the plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nature has gifted a variety of phytochemicals having a potential effect against diabetes mellitus. Datura stramonium has been used as a remedy for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. The study aimed to determine the in vivo antidiabetic potential of hydromethanolic seed extract of the plant. Methods: Dried seeds of Datura stramonium were macerated in hydromethanol. Three doses (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) of the seed extract were given orally to normoglycemic, glucose-loaded, and Streptozocin-induced diabetic mice. Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazine (DPPH) assay was employed to determine antioxidant activity of the seed extract. Results: All doses of hydromethanolic seed extract of D. stramonium were devoid of any significant hypoglycemic effect in normoglycemic mice compared to the negative control group. Acute glucose reduction was significant (P< 0.05 at 100, P< 0.01 at 200 and 400 mg/kg) with respect to negative control in oral glucose-loaded mice. All doses of seed extract significantly (P< 0.0l) reduced blood glucose level on weeks 1 and 2 in STZ-induced daily-treated diabetic mice. The seed extract at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly (P< 0.05) improved the body weight of diabetic mice on weeks 1 and 2. A low (100 mg/kg) dose of the seed extract delayed and significantly (P< 0.05) increased body weight of mice on week 2 compared to negative control. The finding showed that the antioxidant activity of the hydromethanolic seed extract was concentration dependent and comparable with ascorbic acid. IC50 of the seed extract and ascorbic acid was found to be 11.95 and 5.07 mg/mL, respectively. Conclusion: The findings of the study showed that hydromethanolic seed extract of Datura stramonium endowed significant antihyperglycemic and antioxidant activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]